The Democrat says her bill would require the Office of the Inspector General to review some solitary confinement cases. It would also require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide inmates with an advocate throughout the process.

The bill would prohibit the placement of seriously mentally ill inmates in solitary confinemen.

Hanncock says her legislation would also provide those inmates confined in Security housing units with opportunities to interact with other inmates and staff.

CDCR says Security Housing units are designed to house offenders whose conduct endangers the safety of others. After last summer's hunger strike, CDCR announced a pilot program that allows some offenders to ease their way out of Security Housing Units.

The University of California Board of Regents is set to debate a proposed tuition increase Wednesday. UC President Janet Napolitano’s plan would raise tuition by five percent for the next five years – unless the state increases the UC's funding.